Capitol View: March 30, 2009 Archive

Legislature considers free fishing for oldest anglers

Posted at 11:04 AM on March 30, 2009 by Tim Pugmire

State lawmakers are considering a bill that would let all Minnesota residents age 90 or older fish for free.

The measure, which was heard today by the Senate environment and natural resources committee, would issue fishing licenses without a fee to anglers in that age group. The bill is named for Irene Long of Isle, a 91-year-old constituent of Sen. Lisa Fobbe, DFL-Zimmerman. Long told committee members that she wants to keep fishing with her friends on Mille Lacs Lake.

"And when you've got fixed incomes like most of us that's been going, we just would like to have the license even lower or otherwise nothing at all, so we can all go fishing, "Long said. "Because we all have such a wonderful time out there on the lake. We laugh and joke and have a good time."

A DNR official told lawmakers that 937 fishing licenses were issued last year to residents age 90 or older. He did not speak against the bill, but estimated the measure would cost the state about $16,000 a year.

Pawlenty advances...

Posted at 11:22 AM on March 30, 2009 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)

Gov. Pawlenty advanced in NPR's 2012 GOP Primary bracket. He now faces South Carolina Sen. Jim Demint. The voting on this appears to be a bit sketchy, however. Some of the biggest GOP heavy weights have lost (Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal were all bounced in the first two rounds).

NPR's Ken Rudin writes that there may have been a little funny business going on with the voting.

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Pawlenty heads back to the flood zone

Posted at 12:42 PM on March 30, 2009 by Tim Pugmire

Gov. Tim Pawlenty makes another trip to Moorhead this afternoon to meet with state and local officials who are working on flood efforts.

A news release from the governor's office says Pawlenty will attend a briefing with Moorhead Mayor Mark Voxland, City Manager Michael Redlinger, Clay County Sheriff Bill Bergquist, Moorhead Police Chief David Ebinger, FEMA officials and others. The governor will is also meet with some of the nearly 700 Minnesota National Guard soldiers who are currently on duty in the Red River Valley.

House bonding bill

Posted at 3:32 PM on March 30, 2009 by Tom Scheck

DFL Rep. Alice Hausman released her bonding bill proposal today. Hausman said she would have liked the bill to be larger but said the proposal is linked with the DFL House budget plan. The Senate plan would cost the state $329 million. GOP House Minority Leader Marty Seifert said the projects are "nice" but are not needed at this time. Here's the House plan:

Here's a link in case you can't see the file.